More Pickers and Choosers

Have you ever been associated with a church assembly where the crowd seemed to be declining for what ever reason or maybe the Sunday night crowd was much less than the morning attendance? Well, if you were not aware of the decline in attendance there is one person who is fully aware of the problem, that being the Pastor. So what is he to do to get the folks coming back to every service? He trots out the well used passage in the book of Hebrews chapter 10 to get his agenda accomplished to put his audience in subjection.

• Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Bless God Hallelujah!! Don't you folks be as the manner of some is by not being faithful to your church by staying home and watching American Idol or the football game. God knows who you are (actually, the Pastor knows full well who they are) and He is withholding blessings from those who forsake the assembling. You need to be here whenever these doors are open so God can pour out those blessings beyond that which you can imagine. If God would come this very evening, would He find you being faithful to this assembly or would He find you plopped down on the couch scratching your belly watching the boob tube....and so on......

Certainly the Pastor above has the right motives, he wants you to attend the services provided by your assembly in a faithful manner. Did he go about it in a right manner? Absolutely NOT! He should have just said he would prefer you come to the services provided because he is teaching some important material that you would benefit from hearing, instead, he wrested a scripture to advance the agenda to force performance from the audience. What does that tell you about someone that plucks a verse from anywhere in the Bible to promote an agenda? Does it speak to their ignorance the context of the material? Does it speak to their dishonesty in using verses out of the context in which they are intended for edification? If the person is ignorant of the context, well,,why are they in a teaching position? If they are fully aware of the context and use the passage to force performance from their people, they are dishonest and believes they can control you. None of the choices are very favorable nor demonstrate the unashamed workmanship which is lacking in most if not practically every assembly today. If a Pastor uses a verse to control you....that is wrong. If a Pastor thinks he can control you, well, that is just as wrong. Do you see the problem? If you maintain the use of Hebrews 10:25 was used properly, I would like to hear your exegesis on verse 26, 27, 28 and 29

• Hebrews 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,


• Hebrews 10:27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.


• Hebrews 10:28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:


• Hebrews 10:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

Wow, sounds like I better get to every church service a little earlier next week huh? Really now, what is going on in this passage? Sounds like you could lose your salvation in this passage if you sin wilfully . When was the last time you sinned when it was not wilfully? Judgement and fiery indignation? That sounds like Mathew 3:10-11 which is based upon a works, performance, covenant system.

• Matthew 3:10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.


• Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

Well, I must have that right because verse 29 mentions the covenant relationship according to the law....wow...now I see the mention of the law in verse 28. I think I am on to something here, this sounds like Israel's material I am reading. Now I am having a DUH moment, the book is named HEBREWS. Hmmm, I wonder who it is written to?, could it be the Hebrew people? Whenever the Bible separates the Hebrew people from the gentiles, you know this is not material regarding the body of Christ which consists of both Jew and Gentile, for there is no difference. I could go farther with the evidence to whom this passage is written but this is a blog so I want to keep this condensed.

Is there another way to get folks coming back to your church services besides slapping them in Israel's program, under the law in a covenant relationship? Sure there is. Teach them right doctrine for the church, the pillar and ground of the truth. We are the new creation, the church, the body of Christ, not under the law but under grace. We are not to force performance from someone, it is the word of God rightly divided that works effectually in them that believe. The law is not the teacher anymore as it was before faith came, Grace is the teacher for us in this dispensation of the grace of God.

• Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,


• Titus 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

We have been set at liberty. We have the liberty to do the right thing which glorifies Jesus Christ who died for our sins, was buried and rose again the third day. We should be looking for the appearing of Christ when we meet Him in the air, not fiery indignation and judgement. We are complete in the complete one, forgiven ALL trespasses, judicially seated in heavenly places, blessed with all spiritual blessings, made accepted in the beloved!

• Colossians 2:10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:


• Colossians 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;


• Ephesians 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:


• Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:


• Ephesians 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

Thank God for His amazing Grace!

If you teach people who Christ has made them and all He has done for them, why wouldn't they want to come back and learn more? I look for the opportunities to adorn the doctrine given to us from the Apostle Paul delegated to him from my savior, Jesus Christ, do you?

All of that is true when it comes to studying the word of truth, rightly divided. Wouldn't that be a better way to engage folks in learning the material , coming back to additional services throughout the week instead of forcing performance on them by utilizing verses that have nothing to do with the church, the body of Christ or anything being implemented in the dispensation of the grace of God. I think so, but I am just a fella that actually believes his Bible. A Bible believer! what a concept!